Source-Based Effluent Limitations

Source-Based Effluent Limitations Under the FWPCA, EPA was responsible for establishing point-source effluent hmitations for municipal dischargers, industri dischargers, industrial users of municipal treatment works, and effluent hmitations for toxic substances (apphcable to all dischargers). 

A Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE) is a site-specific and systematic approach that combines laboratory testing, chemical analysis and on-site investigations to achieve compliance with toxicity based effluent limits. Three fundamental TRE components include 1) Toxicity Identification Evaluations (TIEs), 2) Source Investigations (Sis), and 3) Toxicity Treatability Evaluations... 

For cases where application of BAT to effluent stream discharges will not meet the requirements of a water source s DU, and for which TMDL limits are not established, the permitting agency will apply water quality-based effluent limits (WQBEL). WQBEL includes an analysis of the level of effluent stream dilution required to retain DU levels. Where WQBEL is employed, a high risk has been assigned to the water source, and economics will often be secondary to technology. 

Water quality is preserved by the U.S. EPA through two mechanisms water quality standards and technology-based effluent limitations. Standards are employed for control of overall water quaUty, while effluent limitations via technological approaches are for certain contaminants from certain sources and function through numerical limitations identified in the NPDES. Standards are promulgated within a context of intended uses (e.g., recreation, water supply) and are numerical or narrative in form. Every state is required by the agency to promulgate water quality standards for all water bodies within its jurisdiction. 

Source U.S. EPA, Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Aluminum Forming Point Source Category, Vols. 1 2, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, 1984 U.S. EPA, Aluminum Forming Point Source Category, 2008. a Data are based on the average of three influent/effluent samples. 

In the United States, as control of conventional pollutants has been significantly achieved, increased emphasis is being placed on reduction of toxic pollutants. The EPA has developed a water quality based approach to achieve desired water quality where treatment control based discharge limits have proved to be insufficient [22]. The procedure for establishing effluent limitations for point sources discharging to a water quality based segment generally involves the use of some type of mathematical model or allocation procedure to apportion the allowable... 

Nickel chloride is listed as a US hazardous air pollutant, generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Nickel is also a toxic pollutant designated pursuant to Section 307(a) (1) of the Clean Water Act and is subject to effluent limitations. 

EPA has developed technology-based standards for industrial users of POTWs. Different standards apply to existing and new sources within each category. EPA has also developed Categorical pretreatment standards applicable to an industry on a nationwide basis. In addition, POTWs develop their own local limits, to assist in achieving the effluent limitations in their permits. 

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